BNP to contest in North.

national | politics / elections | news report Monday December 15, 2003 18:28 by Janus

BNP to contest in North. Media stunt or serious threat?

According to the Scotsman (http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2300623) the BNP is going to be contesting the 2005 Local Elections in the Six Counties and has already selected a candidate in North Antrim.

The article goes on to say that this follows a meeting in East Belfast today attended by Nick Griffin and claim prominent unnamed individuals as members.

Question is, publicity stunt or a serious problem? The BNP have a policy of going into an area where they don't exist, postering, leafletting and announcing they're running and thus getting acres of publicity when it's nothing more than a grab for print columns.

The more I think of it, while it's something anti-Fascists in Ireland should keep an eye on, the less likely I think this is. Loyalist paramilitaries are not going to allow the BNP to seriously operate in their areas, and the BNP can't take them the UVF and the UDA on the streets without getting a severe beating.

It might be a little more likely that they run a paper candidate for the EU Elections. Wouldn't cost them a lot in terms of campaigning or canvassing, wouldn't be perceived as a threat to anyone and would gurantee the acres of publicity they want.

Either way, it's something to be wary about and keep track of. I don't think it's time to man barricades and storm Tigers Bay yet (Though I long for the day some Trots try) ;) but worth noting.